The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-02-19
Jealous Mamie.

.seclare you're the incest little vile IN
the world.
Hugh Matchley looked down with a
sort of fond, admiring tenderness at the
bright-eyed, damask- checked little wo-
man who was industriously brushing
his coat. AS she gave it shake to
complete the process, letter fell from
one of his side pockets-a letter ad-
dressed to III. Matchley, Esq, in a
dainty feminine handwriting. Instant
ly he stopped and caught it up, but not
before her quick eye had deciphered
the direction.
"A letter from ladyl' she cried out,
the merry sparkles of mischief coming
into her eyes. ooh, Hugh, who is she7'
'That is my secret, Mrs. Matchley,'
he returned, with assuming dignity.
is it on business2'
Certainly, it is on business he an
swered. sGive me my hat; there's a
darling. And now good-by until 4
o'clock
For at that hour the young husband
had promised to come and take his wife
and child for what he called "a good,
old fashioned drive into the country
Mamie Matchley had been farmers
daughter, and although she had lived in
the city since her marriage with the
thriving young lawyer, her heart still
longed for the scent of apple blossoms
and new mown hay with an indescriba-
BILE yearning. A cluster of buttercups
and red clover would bring the sunshine
into her face as if it were a spell. A
robins note among the trees in the park
would make her start and smile.
'The country she mused to herself,
'oh, wonder if a dream of little home
of our own, among the green meadows,
where Alice can pluck dandelions and
roll on the grass, will ever be realized |!
Hugh used to talk of it often. Of late
he scarcely ever speaks of it. wonder
if he has forgotten how dear it is to my
heart !
AS she glided around the room, in
tent on her various household duties, a
knock sounded at the door.
sIs'e that tedious, gossiping old Mrs.
Eneau, said Mamie to herself. Now
l am in for an hour of neighborhood
news. Good morning, Mrs. Bonneau.
Are you we'll to-day2'
Mrs. Benjamin Bonneau was phan-
tom-like old female, dressed in garments
of musty Grape and bombazine who wore
blue goggles and talked sepulchrally
through her nose.
Il am tolerably WELL, she answered,
gloomily, 'as well one can be in this
vale of tears.
'Why, what's the matter now?' Nam
ME asked, repressing a smile.
| do you mean, Mrs. Matchley, that
you have never suspected the presence
of the canker-worm that is gnawing at
the bud of your domestic happinessP
asked the old dame.
Mamie dropped her feather duster
and stared at Mrs. Bonneau in amaze
ment.
what in the name of common sense
lido you mean?' she demanded.
Mrs. Bonneau shifted behind her
Il mock -hon5 5l-~fSi1iSr.
/
luded, unsuspecting wives!' she groan-
ed. IF you had disguised yourself this
morning, Mamie, and followed your
wretched husband to what he called
business
| 'Well2' gasped Mamie.
sYou would have seen sights that
would have curdled the very blood in
your veins
sWhat sights?' gasped poor Mamie,
involuntarily remembering the mysteri-
GUS letter and feeling herself grow red
and pale under the answering goggles
of her torturer. Mrs. Bonneau, in
sist on an explanation of these vague
Words
well, if you really insist said Mrs.
Bonneau, evidently enjoying the mo-
ment, Il must tell you. was at the
Andes Hotel not fifteen minutes since
dear! dear! to think that I should
have to tell the tale land he came
there, all smiles and sweet looks, to see
the bold-faced widow, not dressed in
decent mourning with a downward
glance at her own funeral habilments,
but all streamers and jet clasps and bu-
giles and necklaces. I sat in the corner
with my veil down, so that he could
not recognize me-
"The carriage is ready, Mrs. Arnott,
said he. 'Pray let us lose no time-my
wife suspects nothing, as yet
"I am ready said she, giving her
Aounces toss, as pert as you please.
"The sooner the better.
'And, if you'll believe me, away they
went in carriage.
Il do not believe it, broke from Mrs.
Matchley's pale lips.
Il don't wonder, poor thing, said
Mrs. Bonneau, with unostentations pity
in her looks and accents.
But I asked the waiter afterward.
"Lor, ma'am, says he, that's the
gent as has been coming to see Mrs.
Arnott every day tor week.
Il don't want to alarm you, my dear
but if they have eloped, you wont have
the least difficulty in obtaining divorce.
I'd 20 around and see my relatives
about it if l was you. Good-by my
dear. I'd stay longer, only l have ar
appointment with the dressmaker at II.
And away rustled Mrs. Bonneau, leav
ing musty smell of Grape and dye be-
hind her. While Mamie stood looking
blankly out of the window, as if the
sunny sky of her young life were turned
to leaden darkness already.
Hugh false! Hugh the partner OF an
other woman's flight Hugh forgetfu
. of her and little Allie! Then what wa
left to exist for?
o Her first idea was to hasten to MIR
Matchley's office and confront him will
the tale of his own guilt, but second 4
reflection convinced her of the folly o